IN the latest episode of MG Moments, former Port Adelaide champion Kane Cornes remembers how an unexpected visit to coach Mark Williams home showed him the importance of family to his footballing mentor.
“I did some crazy things, he must have pulled his hair out,” Cornes recalled.
“One time he dropped me and instead of copping it on the chin as a first year player I drove around to his house in Glenelg and knocked on the door unannounced.
“Pauline, his wife, answered and (Choco) looked at me like ‘what are you doing here on a Thursday night?’”
However, rather than being met with hostility, Cornes describes how Williams always made him feel welcome at his home, no matter the reason for being there.
“The thing about the Williams family – and it extends to Jenny, it extends to Stephen, and I never met Fos, but it comes from Fos – is that the aspect of family,” Cornes explained.
“I did knock on the door and no doubt he was surprised about it, but it was always ‘come in’, it wasn’t let’s have a conversation at the front door.
“Every time I did go to his house I genuinely felt like part of the family.
“Some of my greatest memories are sitting on his couch talking about footy or life or whatever.
“I think that is what makes the great coaches.”
Under Williams' tutelage, Cornes was a part of Port Adelaide’s historic 2004 AFL premiership side on his way to becoming the first player to play 300 games for Port in the AFL.
Watch the latest episode of MG Moments below and stay tuned to portadelaidefc.com.au for more vignettes every Tuesday and Thursday as Port Adelaide celebrates its 150th year.
